Device for flattening cans



4, 1967 J. w. BLACK, JR

DEVICE FOR FLATTENING CANS Filed April 8, 1965 4 g .I F

m 2 4 u w m I L \i Q 4 9 4 5.1M; 8

Fig.3

m m E: Ww 1M. B w .J.

Attorneys United States Patent ()fiice 3,299,802 Patented Jan. 24, 19673,299,802 DEVICE FOR FLATTENING CANS John W. Black, lira, 5616 JewellRoad, Paradise, Calif. 95969 Filed Apr. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 446,539 3Claims. (Cl. 100-233) This invention relates to a device for flatteningcans and more particularly to such a device as used for flattening usedcans.

There is a great need for such a device so that used cans, whichotherwise become bulky refuse, can be flattened for convenienttransportation or can be buried. At the present time, the littering ofpublic places with tin cans is very unsightly, especially those placesfrequented by travelers, such as campgrounds, rest stops and the like.By flattening these cans, objections to taking them home, to a publictrash can, to a dump, or burying them are overcome. In connection withburying, animals can too easily dig up cans that are not flattened.

In general, it is therefore an object of the present invention toprovide a device for flattening cans which will satisfy the above needs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter which will flatten cans without the necessity of preparing thecan in any way, such as by removing its ends.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter which is mechanically operated and which has sufficientmechanical advantage so that the operator may easily crush and flattenthe can.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter in which there is great mechanical advantage, especially atthe end of the can flattening stroke.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter which can be operated either by the foot or hand of theoperator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the abovecharacter which can be either afiixed in a desired location or suitablymoved about from one place to another.

Additional objects and features of the invention will appear from thefollowing description in which the preferred embodiment is set forth indetail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a device for flattening cansconstructed in accordance with the present invention.

FlGURE 2 is an end elevation view of the device shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectioned view taken along the lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2and showing in broken lines the position of one portion of the devicewhen the device is in closed can flattening position.

FIGURE 4 is a top elevation view, partly in crosslower extremity of theskirt 13 lies in a plane so that the base can rest upon a flat surface.The base 11 also includes a fixed jaw member which in the embodimentshown in the drawings is an upstanding fixed jaw member 14 inclinedslightly from the vertical. The jaw member 14 includes a flatcan-contacting back plate 16 which is reinforced by a skirt 18 welded tothe peripheral margins thereof and to the plate 12 near the end 1221. Agusset 19 is welded to the back plate 16 at the central portion thereofand to the plate 12 to provide maximum support for the back plate 16.Thus, it can be seen that the jaw member 14, gusset 19 and the baseplate 12 are fastened together into a rigid assembly.

Means forming a movable jaw 21 is mounted adjacent the fixed jaw 14 formovement between open and substantially closed positions relativethereto. The movable jaw is constructed in a manner similar to that ofthe fixed jaw and includes a flat can contacting plate 22 reinforced bya skirt 23 Welded to the peripheral margins thereof. The movable jaw 21is secured to the base 11 for pivotal movement towards and away from thefixed jaw 14 in such a manner that the can contacting flat surfaces ofthe fixed and movable jaws generally face each other, and in an openposition form an upwardly facing V-shaped opening for receiving a canfor flattening, and in a closed position are substantially abutting. Asshown in the drawings, the movable jaw 21 is pivotally mounted upon thebase 12 by pins 24 passing through the lower extremities of the skirt 13of the movable jaw 21 and ears 27 secured to the base plate 12 adjacentthe fixed jaw 14.

The movable jaw 21 is reinforced by a U-shaped channel member 28 weldedcentrally thereto and generally noraxis of the movable jaw 21. Theridges may be formed section, of the device shown in FIGURE 3 takenalong the lines 4-4.

In general, my device for flattening cans comprises a base including afixed jaw and a movable jaw. The jaws have opposed surfaces forflattening a can as they are closed and are provided with gripping meansfor preventing the can from slipping out of the jaws. The jaws areclosed by a special mechanism which provides increasing leverage in thefinal portion of the operating stroke.

More particularly, referring to the drawings, the device for flatteningcans consists of a base 11 which is constructed of an elongate flatplate 12 having rounded ends 12a and 12b. The base also includes adepending skirt 13 which is welded to the outer side margins of theplate 12. The skirt 13 serves to reinforce the plate 12. The

by any suitable means such as by laying down weld beads on the plates.Alternatively, the surfaces may be provided with other suitable cangripping means, such as teeth, serrations, or other friction means.

Actuating means is provided for moving the movable jaw into the closedposition and consists of a lever assembly mounted intermediate the base11 and having a portion adapted to engage the movable jaw to bring saidjaw into closed position with respect to said fixed jaw. Thus, there isprovided an upstanding post 33 secured to the base 12 and reinforced bya pair of rearwardly and sidewardly extending spaced gussets 34 securedto the post 33 and to the plate 12.

A lever 41 has inner and outer arms 42 and 43 and is mounted for pivotalmovement on the top of the post 33 which serves as a fulcrum for thelever 41. The means for mounting the lever 41 on the post 33 consists ofa pin 44 extending through the lever 41 intermediate the ends thereofand through the upper end of the post 33.

The inner arm 42 of the lever is sufiiciently long over-all to engagethe movable jaw 21 in camming relationship so that as the outer arm 43is moved downwardly the inner arm 42 moves upwardly in an are whichapproaches the fixed plate. The inner arm 42 is provided at its end withextension brackets 48 on which is rotatably mounted a roller 49 forcontacting the channel member 28 of the movable jaw 21 and forfacilitating movement therealong. As the lever 41 is operated, theroller 48 rolls longitudinally up the channel member 28 of the movablejaw pushing it toward the fixed jaw 14 to thereby close the jaws.

The outer arm 43 of the lever is constructed of a pair of curved steeltubular members 43a and 43b welded together side by side to form aunitary structure which resists bending. Aifixed to the end 51 of theouter arm 43 is a toe plate 52 welded to the end of the arm 43 and whichhas a fiat plate upper portion to be engaged by a hand or foot fordownward operating movement of the lever. The outer operating arm 43 ismade longer than the inner arm 42 to provide mechanical leverage. Theend 12a of the base extends outwardly from the jaws and underneath thearm 43 to support the device against tipping.

The operation of my device can be best seen with reference to FIGURE 3and is as follows. The outer arm 43 of the lever is in the upwardposition and the movable jaw 21 is open so that the jaws are in the canreceiving configuration. A can is placed in the jaws, either with itsaxis in the same direction as the pivot axis of the movable jaw, asshown, or in any other position. The outer arm 43 of the lever isbrought downwardly to the position shown in broken lines as by a footpressing on the toe plate. As the inner arm 42 moves upwardly inresponse to the downward movement of the outer arm 43, the roller 48cams the movable jaw 21 into closed position, shown in broken lines, tothereby flatten the can.

The relationship and sizes of the various members of my device providegreat usable mechanical advantage in its operation. The lever 41 isconstructed so that the outer arm 43 is longer than the inner arm 42 tothereby provide mechanical advantage about the fulcrum point. Typically,the distance between the operating end and the fulcrum is made aboutthree times longer than the distance between the fulcrum and cammingend. As the jaws are closed, the over-all mechanical leverage increaseseven more for another reason. In this construction, the leverage is alsoa function of the ratio of the relative angular velocities of the leverand of the movable jaw. As shown, when the movable jaw 21 approachesclosed position, the inner arm of lever 41 is long enough to just reachthe jaw 21 and therefore moves the movable jaw angularly a very slightamount at this portion of the stroke. This varying leverage combineswith the leverage from the ratio of the lengths of the lever about thefulcrum point to produce a highly compounded leverage at the finalportion of the can flattening stroke.

It is apparent from the foregoing that I have provided a unique canflattening device which is simple in construction and very positive inoperation. Such a device can easily be set in concrete for permanentlocation at a campsite area or can be fastened onto other materials byscrews or bolts through the holes in the base. Alternatively, it can becarried as a portable implement with other camp gear in an automobile orother vehicle from one location to another.

I claim:

1. A device for flattening cans and the like comprising an elongate baseadapted to rest upon a horizontal supporting surface, a fixed jawmounted in upstanding relation at one end of the base, a movable jaw,pivot means carried on the base for mounting said movable jaw formovement between open and closed positions with respect to said fixedjaw, said pivot means being positioned immediately adjacent said fixedjaw so that as the surfaces of the fixed and movable jaws generally faceeach other and substantially abut along their entire surfaces when thejaws are closed, the jaws forming an upwardly V-shaped opening forreceiving a can when the jaws are opened, the surfaces of the jawshaving a plurality of spaced parallel tooth-like ridges formed thereonand parallel to the axis defined by the pivot means, said ridges servingas a can gripping means for preventing slippage of the can out of thejaws as they are closed, a generally vertical fulcrum post secured to anintermediate portion of the base, a rigid lever, means pivotallymounting said lever. on said fulcrum post for movement. in. a planeintersecting, the axisofi said first named pivot means at substantiallyright angles there to, said lever having an inner end extending towardssaid movable jaw, and an outer end extending away from the movable jawand adapted to be engaged by a hand or foot for downward operatingmovement, and a single roller rotatably mounted on said inner end of thelever and engaging the movable jaw whereby as the outer end of the leveris moved downwardly, the inner end of the lever with the roller thereonmoves upwardly in an are which approaches the fixed jaw and rolls alongthe movable jaw to push the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw.

2. A device for flattening cans and the like comprising an elongate baseadapted to rest upon a horizontal supporting surface, a fixed jawmounted in upstanding relation atone end of the base, a movable jaw,pivot means carried on the base for mounting said movable jaw formovement between open and closed positions with respect to said fixedjaw so that as the surfaces of the fixed and movable jaws generally faceeach other and substantially abut along their entire surfaces when thejaws are closed, the jaws forming an upwardly V-shaped opening forreceiving a can when the jaws are opened, the surfaces of the jawshaving a plurality of spaced parallel tooth-like ridges formed thereonand parallel to the axis defined by the pivot means, said ridges servingas a can gripping means for preventing slippage of the can out of thejaws as they are closed, a generally vertical fulcrum post secured to anintermediate portion of the base, a rigid l-ever, means pivotallymounting said lever on said fulcrum post for movement in a planeintersecting the axis of said first named pivot means at substantiallyright angles thereto, said lever having an inner end extending towardssaid movable jaw, and an outer end extending away from the movable jawand adapted to be engaged by a hand or foot for downward operatingmovement and a roller rotatably mounted on said inner end of the leverand engaging the movable jaw whereby as the outer end of the lever ismoved downwardly, the inner end of the lever with the roller thereonmoves upwardly in an are which approaches the fixed jaw and rolls alongthe movable jaw to push the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw, saidmovable jaw further including a vertically arranged U-shaped channelmember fastened to the mid-region of the movable jaw and presenting anoutwardly facing bearing surface, the roller being adapted to engagesaid outwardly facing surface of the channel member as the inner end ofthe lever moves upwardly, the channel member also serving to support themovable jaw as a rigid unit and to distribute the forces applied by theroller over the movable jaw.

3. A device for flattening cans and the like comprising an. elongatebase adapted to rest upon a horizontal supporting surface, a fixed jawmounted in upstanding relation at one end of the base, a movable jaw,pivot means carried on the base for mounting said movable jaw formovement between open and closed positions with respect to said fixedjaw so that as the surfaces of the fixed and movable jaws generally faceeach other and substantially abut along their entire surfaces when thejaws are closed, the jaws forming an upwardly V-shaped opening forreceiving a can when the jaws are opened, the surfaces of the jawshaving a plurality of spaced parallel tooth-like ridges formed thereonand parallel to the axis defined by the pivot means, said ridges servingas a can gripping means for preventing slippage of the can out of thejaws as they are closed, a generally vertical fulcrum post secured to anintermediate portion of the base, a rigid lever, means pivotallymounting said lever on said fulcrum post for movement in a planeintersecting the axis of said first named pivot means at substantiallyright angles thereto, said lever having an inner end extending towardssaid movable jaw, and an outer end extending away from the movable jawand adapted to be engaged by a hand or foot for downward operatingmovement and a roller rotatably mounted. on said inner end of the leverand engaging the movable jaw whereby as the outer end of the lever ismoved downwardly, the inner end of the lever with the roller thereonmoves upwardly in an arc which approaches the fixed jaw and rolls alongthe movable jaw to push the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw, saidmovable jaw further including a vertically arranged U-shaped channelmember fastened to the mid-region of the movable jaw and presenting anoutwardly facing bearing surface, the roller being adapted to engagesaid outwardly facing surface of the channel member as the inner end ofthe lever moves upwardly, the channel member also serving to support themovable jaw as a rigid unit and to distribute the forces applied by theroller over the movable jaw, said lever being proportioned such that theouter end of the lever is approximately three times further away fromthe 15 fulcrum point than the inner end of the lever.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Carlson 146-16Hobbs et a1 100-233 Heckler 100-233 X Martin 146-13 Smith 100-233Courtemanche 15-261 Wright 146-12 Shinn 100-292 Reed 100-233 Malarsky100-233 BILLY J. WILHITE, Primary Examiner.

WALTER A. SCHEEL, Examiner.

1. A DEVICE FOR FLATTENING CANS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING AN ELONGATE BASEADAPTED TO REST UPON A HORIZONTAL SUPPORTING SURFACE, A FIXED JAWMOUNTED IN UPSTANDING RELATION AT ONE END OF THE BASE, A MOVABLE JAW,PIVOT MEANS CARRIED ON THE BASE FOR MOUNTING SAID MOVABLE JAW FORMOVEMENT BETWEEN OPEN AND CLOSED POSITIONS WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIXEDJAW, SAID PIVOT MEANS BEING POSITIONED IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT SAID FIXEDJAW SO THAT AS THE SURFACES OF THE FIXED AND MOVABLE JAWS GENERALLY FACEEACH OTHER AND SUBSTANTIALLY ABUT ALONG THEIR ENTIRE SURFACES WHEN THEJAWS ARE CLOSED, THE JAWS FORMING AN UPWARDLY V-SHAPED OPENING FORRECEIVING A CAN WHEN THE JAWS ARE OPENED, THE SURFACES OF THE JAWSHAVING A PLURALITY OF SPACED PARALLEL TOOTH-LIKE RIDGES FORMED THEREONAND PARALLEL TO THE AXIS DEFINED BY THE PIVOT MEANS, SAID RIDGES SERVINGAS A CAN GRIPPING MEANS FOR PREVENTING SLIPPAGE OF THE CAN OUT OF THEJAWS AS THEY ARE CLOSED, A GENERALLY VERTICAL FULCRUM POST SECURED TO ANINTERMEDIATE PORTION OF THE BASE, A RIGID LEVER, MEANS PIVOTALLYMOUNTING SAID LEVER ON SAID FULCRUM POST FOR MOVEMENT IN A PLANEINTERSECTING THE AXIS OF SAID FIRST NAMED PIVOT MEANS AT SUBSTANTIALLYRIGHT ANGLES THERETO, SAID LEVER HAVING AN INNER END EXTENDING TOWARDSSAID MOVABLE JAW, AND AN OUTER END EXTENDING AWAY FROM THE MOVABLE JAWAND ADAPTED TO BE ENGAGED BY A HAND OR FOOT FOR DOWNWARD OPERATINGMOVEMENT, AND A SINGLE ROLLER ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID INNER END OF THELEVER AND ENGAGING THE MOVABLE JAW WHEREBY AS THE OUTER END OF THE LEVERIS MOVED DOWNWARDLY, THE INNER END OF THE LEVER WITH THE ROLLER THEREONMOVES UPWARDLY IN AN ARC WHICH APPROACHES THE FIXED JAW AND ROLLS ALONGTHE MOVABLE JAW TO PUSH THE MOVABLE JAW TOWARD THE FIXED JAW.